Virus prevention hand washing ?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
LifeT

LifeT

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Oct 24, 2019
100
102
61
Hi all, hope everyone is well considering what's currently going on , I have a quick question regarding the antibacterial hand washes we are all using , my concern is I have 5 aquarium's currently up & running & although I try my best to keep my hands out there water sometimes it can't be helped but I never do it after using the antibacterial hand wash or I use something so my hand doesn't have to go in ( not easy or quick) , would I be right in thinking that the hand washes could strip the cycle from the tank and poison the water ? I just wanted to say this out loud just incase it is dangerous to our pets if I'm wrong and look silly oh well but thought I'd mention it just incase it is dangerous but not entered some peoples thoughts.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dr exum and Blakewater
I honestly don’t think some Purell residue would impact your system at all considering the alcohol causes it to evaporate. Even if there was some residue I HIGHLY doubt it could hurt your beneficial bacteria due to the water diluting it. Could it poison your water? Maybe. Depending on what else is in the antibacterial, how much gets into the tank, and how big the tank is. As a general guess though, unless your tank was less than 1-2 gallons, or, you were constantly putting your hands in and out of the tank with new residue each time I doubt it would impact anything. My fiancé is a Sephora Store Manager and so she has “strongly insisted” to help my skin stay healthy with more and more new body care routines in the morning and before bed. I generally try to avoid doing tank work right after those times but occasionally it just can’t be dodged. I have definitely done some interior tank maintenance while some minor bits of lesser strength cleaners or oils have been on my hands or arms and it has never once impacted my tank in the slightest bit.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dr exum and LifeT
There are aquarium safe hand soap available. Makes me believe that there’s something in it that could harm fish and bb. But I do believed after a thorough rinsing anything in the tank would be diluted and ultimately removed with an eventual water change. Maybe just another way to make money. Good thing to bring up either way since we’ll be washing our hands a lot this time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: twentyleagues and LifeT
All surfactants (soap) are typically toxic to aquatic life forms. How toxic would depend on numerous factors, but a few minutes of thoroughly rinsing under tap water prior to sticking ones hands/arms in to their tank should remove any concerns. Another option is to use pond gloves for tank maintenance.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tlindsey, deeda, twentyleagues and 2 others
Never heard of pond gloves before , just checked there pretty cheap also, might invest in a pair of these just to completely eliminate any concerns regarding the soaps , my Parrot won't be happy the highlight of her week is biting/kissing my hand ?? think it's more a bite but with there mouths it feels like a kiss.
 
If I'm going to do tank maintenance or feeding I rinse my hands in regular tap water out of the faucet. I rinse as far up my arms as needed and dry off with a towel that I use in the fish room, no fabric softener. Some times stuff can't be avoided and I've just dove right in with no issues either. There is a video of people swimming in the huge pool at Ohio fish rescue and I think they do pod cast from inside the pool too. So I think unless you are washing your hands in your tank you are going to be fine. I still try and take precautions to limit outside influences in my tanks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LifeT
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom